When you hear the word insomnia, what comes to mind? Many people assume it simply means having a hard time sleeping or only nodding off after midnight. In reality, experts note that insomnia is more than just a late night that keeps you awake.

What Exactly Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder marked by difficulty initiating sleep. This problem may be short-term or long-lasting (chronic). At times it can appear, subside, and then return.

By duration, insomnia falls into two groups: acute insomnia and chronic insomnia. Acute insomnia can last from a single night to several weeks. Chronic insomnia, by contrast, can persist from three weeks to three months or longer.

By cause, insomnia is also divided into two categories:

• Primary insomnia is not linked to another medical condition.
• Secondary insomnia results from other medical conditions, such as asthma, depression, cancer, or as adverse effects of certain medicines.

Symptoms of Insomnia

A person is considered to have insomnia when the problem occurs at least three days per week, whether consecutive or not. Many people think insomnia only shows up as sleeping difficulty, but there are several other warning signs that can indicate an insomnia pattern.

Some symptoms of insomnia include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up multiple times during the night
• Feeling tired yet still unable to fall asleep
• Waking in the middle of the night and being unable to drift off again
• Still feeling worn out after waking
• Being unable to nap even when you feel exhausted
• Daytime fatigue and irritability
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Waking up too early
• Feeling anxious or low
• Constant worry about sleep

Another clue that you may have insomnia is a rise in minor accidents, such as slipping on stairs due to poor balance, recurring sprains, or frequent mistakes from inattention.

If you notice sleep difficulty along with the signs above, consult a doctor promptly to determine whether you have a sleep disorder or another health problem.

According to the Mayo Clinic, anyone can develop insomnia, but it occurs more often in women and adults over 60. People under significant stress or living with mental or physical health conditions are also at higher risk.

Treating Insomnia

Per WebMD, acute insomnia often doesn’t require specific treatment. If sleeplessness is disrupting your daytime functioning, a doctor may prescribe short-term sleep medication.

Avoid using over-the-counter sleep aids on your own for insomnia. Besides limited benefit, they can bring unwanted side effects.

For chronic insomnia, your doctor will look for the underlying cause of the sleep problem and recommend appropriate therapies and medicines.

Insomnia is not only about difficulty sleeping at night. Sleep disorders can also show up as early-morning awakenings, poor concentration, and more frequent minor accidents. If you experience these signs, seek medical advice without delay.

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